Tell me about lawn maintenance.

[Fuzz]

Last year I rented an aerator. Loading and unloading it from the truck sucked enough, but the real fun(not fun) was using it. The thing is heavy as a donkey and steers like an elephant in a shopping cart. Then you have to clean it after, and probably exorcise a few rocks from the tines. I'm a big DIY'er but next time I think I'll just pay someone.

I do use a de-thatching blade on my mower though, that is easy to do, but if you are paying someone for one you might as well have them do both.

[Blankcanvas]

Originally Posted by sa226

So as per the advice from this thread, I think ill do the whole aerate /dethatch/ fertilize /seed etc.

Looking at the price of renting an aerator as well as a power rake, they each run about 60 to 70 dollars for 4 hours. I have noticed that there are some lawn maintenance companies out there that will do a "spring package" of sorts that include the power raking and aeration for roughly the same price.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It seems there are a ton of them. Everything from a kid pushing an aerator down the street, ringing door bells to big companies.

I can recommend 'Superyards':

http://superyards.ca/calgary-lawn-care/

It's run by a buddy of mine who is also a Flames fan. He's going to be power raking and aerating my yard this spring.

[burn_this_city]

I paid $80 for aerating to a guy this weekend who showed up at my door. Not sure if that's the going rate.

[Hockeyguy15]

Seems a little early to aerate, shouldn't you be doing it in like early May?

[return to the red]

as long as the ground is thawed you can aerate...interesting thing about aerating your lawn though, unless you have a lot of thatch or soil compaction you don't need to aerate.

casual foot traffic on a lawn won't compact your soil enough that you need to do it yearly, this is all dependent on some other factors as well of course though

1 other quick hint too, if you are thinking about getting ahead of the game and fertilizing be aware that it will be wasted if the soil temp isn't above 4 degrees

[Eric Vail]

I live in Lake Bonavista and there are a ton of rabbits running around the community and they ruin my lawn. They put holes in it.

Apart from a pellet gun or slingshot, does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this problem?

[Fuzz]

You could try getting a big bag of cayenne pepper powder and sprinkling it on your lawn. I accidentally bought a massive one from Superstore once, I think it was only $5.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I live in Lake Bonavista and there are a ton of rabbits running around the community and they ruin my lawn. They put holes in it.

Apart from a pellet gun or slingshot, does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this problem?

Longer term solution but coyotes usually take care of the problem by itself. At least in our part of town that has been the history (far NW).

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

You could try getting a big bag of cayenne pepper powder and sprinkling it on your lawn. I accidentally bought a massive one from Superstore once, I think it was only $5.

Does that harm the grass?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I live in Lake Bonavista and there are a ton of rabbits running around the community and they ruin my lawn. They put holes in it.

Apart from a pellet gun or slingshot, does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this problem?

snares?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

Does that harm the grass?

I dunno, I used mine on the flower garden where the squirrels were digging everything up. Worked well. Feel the burn, squirrel!